Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Busy, busy with my ongoing projects!! Yet, I enjoyed "CBCA the Short List Professional Development Conference" for the first time. Applause to the shortlisted creators! CBCA promotes us, creators. There, I met Books in Homes.Very interesting to listen to CBCA judges’ choice of books and why. Apart from the shortlist, two amazing picture book creators were key speakers : an author, Jackie French and an illustrator/author, Bruce Whatley.

In 2014, I sat just next to Bruce and sketched him in an airplane on the way to Melbourne, when I was invited to Helen Chamberlin’s Dromkeen Medal Award Ceremony. When I chatted over it, he clearly remembered it (Thank goodness, sketching!). "What a small world!" he exclaimed. Generous Bruce taught me lot and answered my technical questions. That’s a great bonus! I’ll keep up.

Jackie’s speech is one of the most enthusiastic ones I’ve ever seen in my life. Really, WOW! I’ve also got why mentor Ann James said, “See Jackie. She’s giving, giving!” When she signed a book, she was so caring for each one.…I felt "love" in Jackie's passion. "Your heart is full of love," I said. Honoured that she liked my sketch. Thank you very much, Jackie French, a superstar, for kindness in a crazy busy time. I'm learning a lot from the conference. Thank u very much, CBCA, for giving me a wonderful opportunity to know our industry more than ever.

The photo is after the conference. L to R. Jackie Hawkes (CBCA), Peter Large (Books in Homes Australia), Susanne/Susie Gervay, Anna Moulton (Magabala), Gail Erskine (CBCA). Kind Gail introduced me as one of creators. Peter and I talked over the importance of literacy and social inequality. Education/curriculum and literature/publication will go hand in hand. Books in Homes Australia has been distributing books to the disadvantaged. Peter's enthusiasm and their objectives overlap my thoughts and touches my heart. We've promised to keep in touch!

A conference is wonderful for networking. I'm a novice and life long learner forever. Friends, attend conferences and make friends with others. Of course, sketch around.

Wonderful opportunity, Sadami, and I always enjoy your portrait sketching - you have touched so many lives with your sketching (and how could we forget someone who took the time to sketch us!!). Best of luck in 2018 and onward!!!

Thank you, kind Joshemari. No, I'm only a starter and forever learner. You've been working on landscapes and architecture very well. And well known! Enjoy your life and painting. Best wishes, Sadami >>>>> Joshemari said...Those portraits that you show us in this post, are wonderful. You already know that in your world and you are well known as a great illustrator. I congratulate you.A hug.

About Me

Award winning fine artist, enthusiastic children's picture book illustrator, portraitist and event/conference sketcher, Sydney based. Greatest strength: "Empathic portraits". Spontaneous and beautiful. Outstanding speed and accuracy. In only a few minutes, my quick portraits capture models in any posture with any facial expression on spot. Figures appear lively and emotionally. My linguistic training enables me to analyse the text in detail and organise appropriate story boards for the target audience. Sociological methods and research skills are used to capture insights from a text. The work bridges between a text, reality and imagination. Style is broad from whimsical cartoons to fine art for multifarious subjects. Japanese naitve speaker. Enjoy my works in StyleFile